PHIPA & Medical Courier Services: What Ontario Pharmacies Should Know

Updated December 10 2025 · RapidMed Logistics

Pharmacies in Ontario are legally responsible for protecting patient information, even after a prescription leaves the pharmacy. This is where PHIPA-compliant medical courier services become critical.

What Is PHIPA?

The Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) governs how personal health information is collected, used, disclosed, and safeguarded in Ontario. Prescriptions, delivery addresses, and patient signatures all fall under PHIPA.

Why Courier Services Matter Under PHIPA

PHIPA compliance is closely tied to how medical deliveries are documented and handled in transit. Pharmacies should ensure that delivery workflows include documented chain of custody procedures and the use of appropriate operational delivery tools to support audit readiness.

When a pharmacy uses a third-party courier, that courier becomes part of the information handling chain. Any loss, unauthorized access, or lack of auditability can expose the pharmacy to compliance risk.

Key Requirements for a PHIPA-Compliant Medical Courier

• Controlled access to delivery data
• Documented chain of custody
• Secure proof of delivery
• Audit logs and delivery timelines
• Trained personnel handling medical items

Why This Matters for Ontario Pharmacies

Using non-medical or gig-based couriers can introduce unnecessary risk. A compliant medical courier helps protect patients, pharmacies, and healthcare providers.

Operational Tools Commonly Used in Senior & LTC Deliveries

Pharmacies serving seniors, retirement homes, and long-term care facilities often rely on additional operational tools to support accessibility, accountability, and safe handling during delivery.

The following examples reflect non-clinical supplies commonly used in healthcare logistics workflows. These tools support delivery operations but do not replace PHIPA compliance or professional courier services.